There were a thousand worker bees in the nest. A dangerous yellow-legged hornet has entered Poland.

The yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina), an invasive species from Asia, poses a significant threat to honeybees. First identified in France in 2004, it has spread to neighboring countries, including Poland, where it was spotted in October. A nest was recently discovered and studied by researchers in Wrocław, revealing active larvae and a large population of worker hornets. The hornets hibernate during winter and establish new nests in spring, with each queen capable of producing many offspring. This species is particularly dangerous as it preys on honeybees, disrupting their activity in apiaries. Understanding its origin in Poland is crucial for assessing its ecological impact.